George Down, Tower Poetry Society’s Featured Poet
October 31st 2011We’re pleased to share the news that George Down of Hamilton is the Tower Poetry Society’s Featured Poet for 2011-2012. George and his wife Trudi are great friends of Escarpment Views. They own and operate The Book Band, which promotes Canadian small press publishers and writers. You may have seen them representing their authors at Eden Mills Writers Festival or the Locke Street Festival. To read some of George’s fine poetry and learn about his background, go to his Tower Poetry Society’s feature page. Congratulations, George!
Lucky Lou Gets Game by Sarah Yates
September 19th 2011
Cover of Lucky Lou Gets Game by Sarah Yates
Before I review Sarah Yates’ latest book, I feel I have to declare my bias. I have been friends with Sarah ever since the early 1980s, when we both lived in Toronto and were members of the Periodical Writers’ Association of Canada (PWAC). I met Sarah when I was a new member, when she delivered PWAC papers to me. I have a vivid memory of her appearing at my door on a hot pink girl’s bicycle, wearing a hot pink helmet, her lovely long fingernails likely painted hot pink to match. She was impressive at first sight.
Moving about 25 years ahead, we’re still friends although we have both moved away from Toronto. Sarah hired me to do some media relations for her previous children’s books, and she hired me again this year when she published her latest work of fiction. So my review of her book can hardly be objective. But I can give an idea of what it’s about, and give my response to it.
Lucky Lou Gets Game is a young adult novel about a teenaged girl who has cerebral palsy (cp), gets around in a wheelchair, communicates vocally with a “cp drawl,” and through a computer or by means of alphabet board, both used with one foot.
If it seems that this girl, Lou, is severely restricted by her physical circumstances, this book shows how this isn’t true. Without denying the limits and challenges faces by Lou, Sarah shows just how ordinary her life is. Yet of course a book about ordinary life wouldn’t make very interesting reading.
Sarah has written about one dramatic summer in the life of a teenager with a disability. This is the summer when Lou gets involved in community activism over the right to have a wheelchair ramp built up to her house despite opposing neighbours who fear the loss of property values. This is the summer when Lou gets to play baseball with her peers and a group of able-bodied helpers. And this is the summer when Lou gets to experience the company of boys, and one special boy in particular.
I started to read the book out of obligation to a friend. I soon became eager to read on to find out what happens next. While almost any young girl could enjoy this book, anyone with a disability or concerned about disability issues will likely devour it. There are just not that many books published featuring protagonists with disabilities. And having a protagonist with a disability who plays a leading, active role in her own life and in her community is rare.
This is the very reason that Sarah has written a total of four books with young main characters who have a disability. As the mother of a child with cp, Sarah couldn’t find books that mirrored her daughter Gemma’s situation, so she began writing them.
The book focuses on what Lou can do and achieve and not on what could hold her back. This has been Sarah’s attitude througout Gemma’s life. Ironically, instead of creating a role model for her daughter to follow, in Lucky Lou Gets Game Sarah has written a character based very much on Gemma’s leading example of a role model.
Whatever your level of ability, this is a fun YA novel to enjoy. For how to get a copy, check out Gemma B. Publishing.
200 Tips for De-Cluttering by Daniela Santos Quartino
January 02nd 2011
200 Tips for De-Cluttering
Firefly Books, 2010, $39.95
The title is slightly misleading. It’s not so much about how to de-clutter or how to deal with clutter as it is about storage options in modern design. It’s a beautiful book, very thick at 799 pages, with gorgeous, full-colour photos on every page. It’s organized in useful sections on kitchens, home offices, bedrooms, hallways and more.
Looking through this book of “practical storage solutions for reducing annoying clutter” makes me agree that they’re possible if you have a million dollars and can renovate your whole house. It also made me realize that the real problem with clutter is not a lack of storage. We already know about all the wonderful possibilities. There are boxes and bookcases and open and closed storage pillars to put your stuff in! Units on wheels! Doors and sliding panels to shut on the clutter! Surfaces and furniture that can do double duty! Built-in, concealable desks!
This book shows clean, streamlined built-ins and furniture of modern design with not a single thing on any surface. One kitchen island unit with sink and faucet, I swear looks like a place to perform an autopsy. I couldn’t live in this kind of environment. It’s too sterile, cold and hostile for me. It’s full of show rooms, not living rooms. Some clutter or objects in a room are cosy.
The problem with too much clutter, the kind that junks up your space, makes it difficult to do things or embarrasses you when people visit, is the emotional reasons that make it hard to deal with. First, it’s overwhelming. You don’t know where to start. You’re attached to too many things. You have too many different collections, and too many items in those collections. Some things could be valuable some time. You might need or want them some time.
Then there’s the domino effect, of how clutter is connected and linked together and backed up somehow. You can’t clear this tabletop without clearing the cupboard that the table things should go in, and you can’t clear out the cupboard because those things have to go in boxes for your yard sale or the reuse centre, but you don’t have storage space for the boxes…
So because there’s no point in starting, I’ll just look at this beautiful book of modern design solutions for people with three white shirts and two pairs of black slacks that can hang elegantly in their huge walk-in dressing room…
Are you trapped by clutter? If not, what’s your secret?
Angels: A History by David Albert Jones
December 16th 2010
Oxford University Press, 2010, $24.95
This is a little book on a big topic. Author David Albert Jones examines the Bible, the Quran, the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other religions and sects, as well as literature, poetry, visual art and essays, to assemble general beliefs about angels. It’s of course incorrect to write what is “known” about angels. Yet it’s interesting that angels are referred to in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Jones argues that angels are a species distinct from humans and from God and Jesus, existing “above” humans but “below” God. They originated as only male, but were shown as children during the Renaissance, and as females in the 19th century. They have no physical bodies of any kind, being purely of fire or light. While there are said to be as many angels as there are stars in the sky, only a few are “known” by name: Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and perhaps Uriel being most familiar.
Every human being is thought to have a guardian angel assigned to him or her for life, to guard, help and intervene at times of needs. Angles are also considered to be messengers from God. The Bible has many references to such messengers and it’s striking that every angel says “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid,” leading to the idea that having an angel make an appearance is a frightening thing indeed, that angels know this, and seek to make people less fearful .
This little book is a good academic summary of what is understood about angels. I would have enjoyed more tales of angels’ influence on history beyond what is in the Bible. The story of Michael’s appearance to Joan of Arc is given, and I would have been fascinated by more discussion of people claiming to have experienced angelic visitations.
What about you? Do you believe in angels? Have you ever had an experience with an angel?
Bateman New Works by Robert Bateman
December 13th 2010
Published by Greystone Books, 2010, $55
There is a review of this book in our Winter issue, but I’ve written my own, longer take on this book for this blog because it would make a great Christmas gift for nature and art lovers. This is a significant collection of artist Robert Bateman’s work from the late ‘90s to 2009. Containing 120 large photographs of his full-colour and black and white works, its subjects are from North America, Africa and Asia. The majority are wildlife, his specialty, although there are landscapes with people, with no animal at all, and some with creatures barely discernible, either shown at a great distance or camouflaged by their surroundings.
Short essays by Bateman throughout the book explain his inspirations for the works or his response to the subject, giving fascinating insight. In the artist’s statement, he addresses some criticism of his work, explaining that after experimenting with every style from impressionism to abstract expressionism, he decided that realism was the only style that would work for his passion for nature. This reminds me of Picasso. People at first hated his groundbreaking styles, and he had to remind them that he had first conquered traditional realism. Ironically, Bateman has garnered wrath for having the audacity to do the opposite.
Bateman addresses the complaint that wildlife is seen as being too pretty, by stating that art doesn’t always have to be ugly. His essays also emphasize the abstract qualities of some of his work, and how he explores form and shape in nature, not just portraiture.
Despite Bateman’s concern for the loss of wildlife and nature, there always seems to be an optimistic aspect to his work. His dark and moody “Old Buggy and Winter Birds” is prevented from conveying Gothic loss and unease by the presence of a bright red male and female cardinal that turns the work in the direction of a cheerful, nostalgic Christmas card.
It seems that as long as there are animals, Bateman will show their beauty, dignity and persistent survival. This attitude may be the reason for Bateman’s tremendous popularity and success.
If you’re a fan of Bateman, what do you like about his work? If not, why not?
A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities by J.C. McKeown
November 17th 2010
The subtitle gives a perfect description of this book: “Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World’s Greatest Empire.” Bits and pieces of quotations, graffiti, legends and sayings are presented in short chapters that deal with family life, women, medicine, slaves, spectacles, buildings, emperors and much more. There is a whole chapter, including a photograph, on toilets! Another chapter presents details and photographs that are sexually explicit.
You probably need some knowledge of ancient Rome or Latin in order to appreciate this book. When at least some of the names of writers and historical figures are familiar, the information gives insight into their lives and times. Some examples: a man boasted about a wound to his face received while fighting for Caesar, but Caesar responded with “You should never look back when you’re running away.” One of the reasons that a conspiracy was formed to assassinate Caesar, was that he didn’t show respect by standing up when Senators told him that they were going to bestow honours upon him; at dinner one day, Caesar said that the best way to die is suddenly and unexpectedly, and he was murdered the next day. These examples are about Julius Caesar, but there are references to Antony, Cleopatra, Octavius, Claudius, Nero and countless others.
The book is surprisingly entertaining and gripping, teaching new information as if by accident. There is no attempt to hide the nasty aspects of Roman culture. Life seems to have been of little value and there was widespread, horrific cruelty to humans as well as animals, with apprently no objection or opposition.
There is even a fascinating account of a UFO sighting given, which suggests time travel or space ships! Our current civilization may not be so far removed from ancient Rome after all.
Bookstores celebrate Independents’ Day
October 13th 2010Independent booksellers have a unique role in our communities. On Sat. Oct. 16, bookshops across the country will be hosting promotional events in celebration of Independents’ Day, a major marketing drive championing the cultural and economic contributions made by long-established and new-generation independent booksellers operating in many Canadian communities.
Customer-focused, commercially-savvy and digitally-aware, independent booksellers are carving an invaluable niche for themselves in their local communities, despite trying economic times and increased competition.
“Independent bookstores are at the heart of the neighbourhoods they serve, catering to local tastes and interests, encouraging lively book exchange via store-sponsored book clubs and authors events, and knowledgeably and passionately connecting readers with books they will love,” says Mark Lefebvre, president of Canadian Booksellers Association. “On Independents’ Day, we celebrate their importance as local cultural hubs and vital contributors to Canada’s diverse and dynamic literary community.”
Now in its fifth year, Independents’ Day provides a platform for bookstores across Canada to raise awareness of the issues that affect their businesses including:
*The importance of independent bookstores in promoting regional/local literature, works that might not be noticed by a chain store that buys for the entire country at once.
*The contribution independently owned businesses make to their local economy; money spent at one’s local bookstore helps sustain the local economy and create local jobs. Also, Independents support local causes (i.e. teams, schools, charities and arts organizations).
*The role independent bookstores play in creating a community that favours the arts and promotes economic success by encouraging innovators to stay there.
*The potential for major parts of Canada’s bookselling industry – a chief disseminator of Canadian culture – to fall to foreign ownership.
Bookstores will be marking the occasion in a variety of reader-friendly ways: contests, giveaways, author readings and signings are just a few of the events booksellers have in store. You can find out more about Independents’ Day activities or simply stop by your nearest Independent on Oct. 16 to join in on the celebration.
Independents’ Day is an initiative of Canadian Booksellers Association, a national trade association that represents close to 1,000 bookstores, including trade, campus, specialty, chain, used and rare booksellers, in urban and rural communities.
Angels, Vampires & Douche Bags by Carla Collins
October 12th 2010Carla Collins, once an entertainment reporter for a Toronto television news station, then a stand-up comedian, seems to have disappeared for several years. Now she has popped up as the author of Angels, Vampires & Douche Bags, a part memoir, part “comedic motivational” book. The memoir side is more interesting, but probably only to people who remember her from TV.
Collins is now in Los Angeles, in her second marriage, having filmed a show called “Carlawood.” The memoir traces her life from childhood as a tall, gangly black-haired girl in Sault Ste. Marie to her maturity as a tall, dyed-blonde woman with breast implants in Hollywood. While criticizing L.A. for being the “Mecca of looking good at all cost,” Collins seems to feel the need to follow this practice in order to be accepted as an entertainer.
Some of the language in the book makes it the sort you don’t want to recommend to your mother, boss or professional colleague, but there’s enough humour to amuse a good friend who isn’t shocked easily. As a motivational book it’s just silly. Suggesting that everyone has angelic, energy-draining or downright despicable friends and acquaintances is hardly new. As a humorous platform for Collins’ reminiscences, it provides pleasant, light reading.
The book also fills in some blanks about yet another Canadian entertainer who is trying to accelerate her career by moving to L.A. Collins is interesting and has talent, and may find her own niche. This book may be a small step in the direction of greater recognition.
BurmanBooks Inc., 2009, $19.95
What do you remember about Carla Collins?
Everything I Know about Marketing I Learned from Google By Aaron Goldman
September 07th 2010
Everything I Know about Marketing I Learned from Google by Aaron Goldman
Considering the dry topic, this is a surprisingly readable account of the company called Google and how its name rose to become a verb in the dictionary. Author Aaron Goldman even uses it in adjective form: “Googley,” a new word to me, as well as the more familiar “Google juice.”
Goldman explains how Google, the most important search engine on the Internet, works, swiftly scanning trillions of pages to find the ones most relevant to a query. Things that Google looks for include the title of a page, copy and images on the page, links pointing to the page, the date the page was created, and how often it’s updated. Goldman recommends that marketers trying to get to the top of Google, should corner the market on their area, by making themselves “the Google of your category.”
The rest of the book, in 21 chapters, goes into great detail about Google’s own rise as well as that of several other companies who use the Internet highly effectively. Lessons shared can apply to small companies as well as the world famous. The chapter “Your Unique Selling Proposition is Critical” is particularly interesting. It covers what attributes make effective slogans, and lists Goldman’s 25 favourite ones, going from “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” to “Breakfast of champions.” The chapter includes an exercise to discover your unique selling proposition, which can lead to new, highly targetted ways of considering your brand.
This book is most relevant to people using the Internet extensively, but it is accessible enough for almost any marketer to get some benefit out of it. It can be read enjoyably from cover to cover, but Goldman advises in his introduction that each chapter should be read, digested and applied individually.
Research manual or marketing overview, this book explains the Internet as it is now, as well as where it, and our customers, may be going in the future.
McGraw-Hill, 2011, $31.95
Front Yard Gardens by Liz Primeau
August 22nd 2010 
Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass is a revised edition of a previous book. Author Liz Primeau has updated and expanded on her previous collection of gardens, and is finding a whole new audience. I’m one of them, having missed seeing the first edition.
I love this book! The photographs are plentiful, large and inspiring. The captions are extensive and informative, highlighting and explaining what is shown.
Keeping up with the quality of the photos and captions is the text of the book. Primeau was the founding editor of Canadian Gardening magazine and writes in a style that is both engaging and educational. She tells the stories behind the many real-life gardens that are featured, exploring how each front garden evolved to take its current form. Some of the gardens are in the Niagara Escarpment communities of Dundas and Oakville. [And Hamilton as well, I noticed later.]
I read this book front to back, then skimmed the garden stories in reverse order, and frequently dip in again to study the beautiful photos and captions. Oh, for time, money and energy enough to create a garden like these!
If you like houses and gardens, get this book.
Firefly Books, 2010, $24.95
How do you describe your front yard?
